The iliad book 1

-The Greeks had taken Chryses' daughter, so Chryses came as a supplicant before Agamemnon, however Agamemnon refuse him and the ransom offered. Agamemnon refuses a supplicant an act not looked kindly on.

Agamemnon does not wish to return Chryseis as it comes into conflict with his Hubris.

Agamemnon further provokes the situation, by threatening Chryses, "Do not provoke me, if you wish to return in safety."

The army supports Chryses' request, but cannot interfere with Agamemnon's loot.

After Agamemnon refuses the ransom for Chryseis, Chryses who is a priest of Apollo, prays to Apollo to take revenge on the Greeks. The Greeks were then plagued with Apollo's arrows/plague(as linked to mice/rats).

The Assembly

Chryses' supplication

-The Greeks had taken Chryses' daughter, so Chryses came as a supplicant before Agamemnon, however Agamemnon refuse him and the ransom offered. Agamemnon refuses a supplicant an act not looked kindly on.

Agamemnon does not wish to return Chryseis as it comes into conflict with his Hubris.

Agamemnon further provokes the situation, by threatening Chryses, "Do not provoke me, if you wish to return in safety."

The army supports Chryses' request, but cannot interfere with Agamemnon's loot.

After Agamemnon refuses the ransom for Chryseis, Chryses who is a priest of Apollo, prays to Apollo to take revenge on the Greeks. The Greeks were then plagued with Apollo's arrows/plague(as linked to mice/rats).

Hera plays a part in the mortals assembly, by suggesting to Achilleus to call an assembly.

Achilleus here is showing authority and more importantly leadership which questions Agamemnon's ability to lead the Achians.

Achilleus questions the reason for Phoibos Apollo's anger (bright Apollo). However this could just be a ploy, and Achilleus is probably just undermining Agamemnon.

Achilleus then questions Kalchas, Agamemnon's seer, and promises to protect him from anybodies' wrath, which is an oblique reference to Agamemnon. Achilleus then explicity makes it clear that he will protect Kalchas, unnecessary probably just riling Agamemnon up.

When Kalchas tells the assembly that Apollo is angered by Agamemno not taking the ransom and returning Chryseis, Achilleus hints that Agamemnon should return the girl.

This provokes a quarrel between the two, in which they are quarreling about honour (Time). As Agamemnon tells Achilleus that if his prize is going to be taken away, then he shall have Achilleus's prize, Bryseis. This would dishonour Achilleus, and cannot have glory if dishonoured.

This is also the first time we see Nestor involved in the story, as he tries to act as a mediator between the two, however they both just brush him off and ignore him.

Achilleus becomes angry at this suggestion however Athene prevents an outburst from him. Instead Achilleus speaks of not fighting if Briseis is taken from him, and going home, and foreshadows the death of how the Greeks will die at the hands of Hektor.

Thetis and Achilleus.

Thetis is Achilleus's mother, but also a goddess who is married to the mortal Peleus.

Even though Thetis is a goddess, she still does what Achilleus tells her to do: go to Zeus in supplication and beg that the Greeks pay for what they did to Achilleus/

It is hard to know whether or not Thetis is helping her son out of materal care, or she helps him in defend his honour and glory for own honour of being Achilleus's mother.

Comparison of the two assemblies

Differences:

-Agamemnon threatens Achilleus, who doesn't submit, however when Zeus threatens Hera she does back down knowing her place before her king.

-The outcome of the two scenes is different, as the gods afterwards have a feast whereas Achilleus storms out.

-The Achaians are quarrelling over honour, whereas the gods(Hera and Athene) are quareeling over Zeus aiding the Trojans.

Similarities:

-Hephiastos and Nestor both act as peacekeepers in the two scenes, however Hephiastos is successful but Nestor is not.